Bio
Dr. Williams is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. Dr. Williams has a broad background in clinical neuroscience and is triple board-certified in general neurology, general psychiatry, as well as behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry. In addition, he has specific training and clinical expertise in the development of brain stimulation methodologies under Mark George, MD. Themes of his work include (a) examining the use of spaced learning theory in the application of neurostimulation techniques, (b) development and mechanistic understanding of rapid-acting antidepressants, and (c) identifying objective biomarkers that predict neuromodulation responses in treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric conditions. He has published papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals including Brain, American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Results from his studies have gained widespread attention in journals such as Science and New England Journal of Medicine Journal Watch as well as in the popular press and have been featured in various news sources including Time, Smithsonian, and Newsweek. Dr. Williams received two NARSAD Young Investigator Awards in 2016 and 2018 along with the 2019 Gerald R. Klerman Award. Dr. Williams received the National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Award for Innovative New Scientists in 2020.
Clinical Focus
- Neurology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Interventional Psychiatry
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Neurology
Academic Appointments
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Assistant Professor - Med Center Line, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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Member, Bio-X
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Director, Stanford Interventional Psychiatry Clinical Research (2019 - Present)
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Director, Stanford Brain Stimulation Laboratory (2015 - Present)
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Chief Resident of Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina (2011 - 2014)
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Chief Resident of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina (2011 - 2012)
Honors & Awards
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Biobehavioral Research Award for Innovative New Scientists, National Institute of Mental Health (2020)
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Bipolar Research Award, One Mind (2020)
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Leading Research Achievements, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2020)
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Chairman's Award for Advancing Science, Stanford University (2019)
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Gerald R. Klerman Award, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2019)
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NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2018-2020)
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NARSAD Young Investigator Award, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2016-2018)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Member, American Neuropsychiatric Association Committee on Research (2016 - Present)
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Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2014 - Present)
Professional Education
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Board Certification, United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry (2020)
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Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology (2019)
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Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry (2014)
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NIH R25 Research Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina (Mentor: Mark George, MD), Human Neuroscience (2014)
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Clinical Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina, Invasive and Non-Invasive Neuromodulation (2014)
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Residency, Medical University of South Carolina, Psychiatry (2014)
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Residency, Medical University of South Carolina, Neurology (2014)
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Intership, Medical University of South Carolina, Internal Medicine (2009)
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MD, Medical University of South Carolina, Medicine (2008)